Bridgewater struggles with accuracy at pro day

Teddy Bridgewater declined to throw and run at the NFL scouting combine, opting to showcase his skills to league personnel in a controlled environment during Louisville’s pro day.

The decision may have backfired for Bridgewater, Brian Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports. The potential No. 1 overall pick of the 2014 draft was less accurate than expected, several of his throws were clearly off target and his ball often fluttered on short- and long-yardage attempts, despite throwing indoors.

The 6-foot-2 Bridgewater, who weighed 208 pounds and ran an unofficial 4.78 in the 40-yard dash, threw without a glove as Texans general manager Rick Smith and coach Bill O’Brien watched nearby Monday on Louisville’s campus.

The Cardinals junior quarterback started sharp, showcasing his high, quick release. But he overthrew receivers on the left and right sidelines, underthrew a left out and badly missed on a deep ball down the middle of the field. Bridgewater regained his touch during a brief second session, which occurred near the end zone, focusing on quick slants and fades. But more than 10 of his 65 overall passes were either misses or drops.

“Me being a perfectionist, it was nowhere near where I wanted it to be,” said Bridgewater, who expects to meet soon with the Texans. “It’s a learning process. I was able to take away something from those throws and just tell myself that, ‘Hey, keep hitting the guy in the left shoulder.’ Or, ‘Keep hitting the guy in stride.’ But, overall, I just felt I had a great day.”